In her latest article for Food Navigator, Flora Southey has uncovered some new intelligence on the origins of the European Commission’s proposed 12-month delay to the European Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). The delay was originally attributed to unresolved IT issues, but that explanation is now coming under scrutiny.
According to Flora several compliance technology providers have challenged the notion that the necessary digital systems are incapable of handling EUDR data volumes. Firms such as Sustaain argue that the data requirements are well within modern cloud capabilities, suggesting that the “IT excuse” may be a convenient cover for deeper problems. To quote Sustaain: “This is not a capacity problem, it’s a commitment problem. Let’s make the system a showcase – not a scapegoat”
If the technology itself isn’t the obstacle, attention turns to broader readiness and political dynamics. Some industry voices (notably major coffee and confectionery groups) have argued that farmers and upstream suppliers are not yet equipped to provide traceability data, and therefore support a delay. Others, including Nestlé and Ferrero, have insisted they are ready to comply and warn that another postponement risks undermining trust and momentum in deforestation-free supply chains.
The timing of the delay also coincides with growing political pressure from deregulatory and right-leaning groups within the European Parliament, prompting speculation that the Commission’s move may be driven more by politics than by genuine technical constraints. If so, the eventual timeline for EUDR enforcement could remain uncertain, and further adjustments or simplifications to the regulation may follow.
For meat processors and feed supply chains, the shifting narrative signals that the delay may not provide the breathing space some had expected. While the official line remains focused on system readiness, the emerging view is that companies should continue preparing for EUDR compliance, as future policy shifts are likely to come with little warning. BMPA is committed to continue the work we’ve started to help members prepare for the eventual implementation.
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